Move appears to be part of a concerted effort to stabilize the markets
Real GDP in China grew by 5.2% last year but is expected to slow in the year ahead, Desjardins says
Long the most populated country in the world, China dropped into second place behind India in 2023
The recovery after stringent pandemic restrictions were lifted was short-lived
The rating agency cited slowing economic growth and the property crisis
Merchandise trade down, services activity flat from previous quarter
Rate cuts to start materializing by mid-year
High rates and slowing growth weighs on corporate balance sheets
Leaders expected to maneuver to get slowing economy back on track
Factors that drove higher interest coverage appear to be in reverse